MELBOURNE United are back on the winners list after breaking a four-game losing streak to conclude the National Basketball League (NBL) Cup, defeating Illawarra Hawks by 10 points yesterday afternoon. Whilst they could not seem to muster a win over the past couple of weeks, United ironically were back at John Cain Arena for the tradition NBL season in Round 10, but managed to get the job done there thanks to winning the final three quarters. On the back of efforts from Jock Landale and Chris Goulding, United got up in an 75-65 victory over the Hawks.

The teams could not be split after one quarter, with United starting to gain ascendancy in the second term, to score 20-16 in the quarter an open up a four-point lead at the main break. They built on that lead in the third term, adding 16 points to 13 for a seven-point advantage, before finishing off once again with a 20-17 final term and secure a double-digit win in the end, 75-65. It was comparatively low scoring compared to efforts earlier in the season, but aside from the early going – where the Hawks raced out to a double-digit lead a couple of times in the opening term – and then a brief moment in the third quarter where Illawarra again hit the front – United were in control.

Illawarra never gave in however, drawing to within four points early in the fourth term to give the home team something to think about, but bit by bit, United built on their lead, blowing it out to as much as 15 points past the halfway mark of the last quarter. Illawarra cut it back to the 10 points, but the experience of the United side showed out in the end, recording a memorable victory.

The Hawks’ shooting really let them down, with 21 more attempts from the field, but scoring just 27 of 85, whilst United put up 28 of 64. United, led by Landale, as well as Shea Ili and Mitch McCarron got to the charity strip, shooting 10 of 13 (for a team total of 11 of 15 from there), compared to the Hawks’ six of nine. Untied also led the rebounds )52-45) and assists (14-10), though there was plenty to like about the Hawks’ effort. Illawarra had just eight turnovers for the match – 10 less than Melbourne – and recorded more points in the paint (40-30), second chance points (20-8), and picked up more steals (10-3) and blocks (3-2).

Goulding snagged the Player of the Game honour thanks to his 16 points – at 66 per cent from the field – five assists, three rebounds and one steal, while Landale was equally as impressive with 19 points, eight rebounds and two assists. McCarron had the seven points, 11 rebounds and four assists to his name on the afternoon, while Sam McDaniel (seven points, nine rebounds) and Yudai Baba (seven points, three rebounds) both contributed well off the bench.

For the Hawks, Justinian Jessup led the way with 13 points, three rebounds, four steals and one assists while Sam Froling (11 points, 11 rebounds) was the most prominent Hawk on the court, though Tyler Harvey (11 points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals) was also good. All the starters shot at under 50 per cent however, and AJ Ogilvy (four points, eight rebounds and two steals) had just two of seven from the field, but was strong off the boards. Justin Simon (six points, four rebounds) and Emmett Naar (seven points, two assists) added points off the bench.

Melbourne United will be looking to go back-to-back in terms of wins when they face the struggling New Zealand Breakers in Bendigo on Thursday, while the Hawks will take on Perth Wildcats at RAC Arena on Friday night.

Picture credit: Greg Denholm / Getty Images